The Texas Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) (since 2005 the
Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority) supports statewide
law enforcement through auto theft initiatives, education, and public
awareness. The Authority was created in 1991 by the 72nd Texas Legislature
(House Bill 640, Regular Session) and is composed of six members appointed by
the governor, to serve staggered six-year terms. Two members represent law
enforcement, two are consumer representatives, and two are insurance
representatives. The executive director of the Texas Department of Public
Safety is an ex-officio member. In December 1993, through interagency contract,
the Authority was moved from the Governor's Office to the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT). The move was formalized and clarified by legislation in
1995 (74th Legislature, House Bill 2845, Regular Session). The name of the
Authority was changed in 2005 to the Texas Automobile Burglary and Theft
Prevention Authority (ABTPA) (Senate Bill 1874, 79th Legislature, Regular
Session).

The state funds and supports automobile theft investigative task
forces and crime prevention programs through the authority. An initial mandated
responsibility was to work with the Texas Department of Public Safety to
develop a statewide automobile registration program to help decrease auto theft
in Texas. This program became known as the H.E.A.T. (Help End Auto Theft)
Sticker Program. Staff developed a sticker to affix to a vehicle that would
give a peace officer the owner's permission to stop and inquire as the
ownership of the vehicle between one and five a.m. Through theft prevention
grants the Authority has funded local and regional law enforcement programs
specializing in vehicle theft investigation, recovery, prevention and
prosecution. The general grant fund was established by legislation, requiring
collection of an one dollar annual premium on each vehicle insurance policy
issued in Texas. Currently, 30 grant programs are funded, allowing over 150 law
enforcement officers in Texas to focus exclusively on the resolution of vehicle
theft cases.

To prepare this inventory, the described materials were cursorily
reviewed to delineate series, to confirm the accuracy of contents lists, to
provide an estimate of dates covered, and to determine record types.

Arrangement of the Records

Restrictions on Access

The exceptions apply to the Texas Auto Theft Task Force case reports
found within some of the meeting files. Because of the possibility that
portions of these records fall under Public Information Act exceptions
including, but not limited to: social security numbers (V.T.C.A., Government
Code, Section 552.101) and driver's license numbers (V.T.C.A., Government Code,
Section 552.130); an archivist must review these records before they can be
accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the
provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Chapter
552). The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a
request by mail (Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927,
Austin, TX 78711), fax (512-463-5436), email (Dir_Lib@tsl.state.tx.us), or see
our web page ( http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/agency/customer/pia.html). Include
enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the
archivist to accurately identify and locate the information. If our review
reveals information that may be excepted by the Public Information Act, we are
obligated to seek an open records decision from the Attorney General on whether
the records can be released. The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten
working days after receiving a request to make this determination. The Attorney
General has 45 working days to render a decision. Alternately, the Archives can
inform you of the nature of the potentially excepted information and if you
agree, that information can be redacted or removed and you can access the
remainder of the records.

Materials do not circulate, but may be used in the State Archives
search room. Materials will be retrieved from and returned to storage areas by
staff members.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and
may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received
by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The
researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17
U.S.C.).

[No minutes are present, just a progess
report, with supporting documentation, of the Dallas County Commercial Auto
Task Force which may be been sent to the Authority as a supporting document for
review at an upcoming meeting.]